Fastener-applying implement



Dec. 21, 1943'. c. M. LrNDsTR'oM FASTENER APPLYING YIMPLEMENT Filed sept. 25 1942 l lllllllllll Patented Dec. 21, 1943 UNITED vSTATES PATENT CFFICE FASTENER-APPLYING DVIPLEMENT Charles M. Lindstrom, East Greenwich, R. I., as-

signor` to Boston Wire Stitclier Company, Warwick, R. I., a corporation of Maine Application September 25, 1942, Serial No. 459,607

11 Claims. (Cl. l-49) The present invention relates to improvements in fastener-applying implements and more particularly to stapling or wire-stitching devices of the type having a pivoted gate for opening and closing the end of the staple-magazine.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an implement of the type indicated with means for positively locking the gate in closed position on the magazine.

Another object is to provide an implement of the type indicated in which the pivot-means for the gate operates to positively lock the gate in closed position on the magazine.

Another object is to provide an implement of the type indicated in which the pivot-means for the gate are in the form of push-buttons manually-operable to release the gate.

Another object is to provide an implement of the type indicated with detents for latching the gate in closed position on the magazine and pivotmeans ior positively locking the detents in latched engagement.

Another object is to provide an implement of the type indicated with axially-movable pivots having non-cylindrical portions for cooperation with correspondingly-shaped slots in the magazine and gate to positively lock the gate, and cylindrical portions for cooperation with the slots in the gate to release the latter for pivotal movement.

Still another object is to provide gate-locking means of simple and compact construction, automatically operable to lock the gate in closed position on the magazine and adapted to be quickly manipulated to release the gate. Y

Further objects of the improvement are set forth in the following speciiication which describes several forms of construction of the invention, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompanying drawing. In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of a fastenerapplying implement incorporating the novel ieatures of the present invention and showing the gate latched against pivotal movement and locked against vertical sliding movement;

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional detailed view on line 2--2 of Fig. 1 showing the pins for pivotally mounting the gate on the magazine and illustrating the detent-enlargements on the pins as in locking engagement with the openings or slots in the sides of the magazine;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional detailed View on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 showing the gate locked in its lowermost position to hold the recesses or notches in its sides in engagement with the detent-lugs on the magazine;

Fig/l is al longitudinal sectional kview through the front portion of the magazine showing the keyhole-form of the slots in the vsides of the magazine and illustrating the gate as moved to its raised position to adapt it to be rocked on the pivot-pins;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 4 showing the pivot-pins pressed inwardly toward each other to disengage the detents from the keyhole slots and aline the reduced shank-portions of the pins with the narrower portions of the slots; A

Fig. 6 is a perspective View of the front end of the magazine and the parts of the gate-locking means in disassembled relationship;

Fig. 'l is a side elevational view of the forward end of the magazine showing a modied form of gate-locking means; and

Fig. 8 is a sectional View on line 8-8 of Fig.f7 showing the axially-movable pivot-pins as having rectangular portions for cooperation with correspondingly-shaped openings or slots in the` magazine and gate to lock the latter in closed position on the magazine, and adjacent cylindrical portions to adapt the gate to pivot to open the magazine. I

A certain type of fastener-applying implement is provided with a gate for normally closing the endof the magazine and rockable away therefrom to open the latter to receive a supply of iasteners. In one form of construction the gate is mounted on the magazine for pivotal and vertical sliding movement and is releasably latched in closed position by the engagement of detentslots or notches in its bottom edges with detentlugs on the magazine. A spring acting against the top of the gate is arranged to depress the latter to engage the notches in its bottom edges with the detent-lugs on the magazine and the gate may be opened by rst lifting it vertically against the action ofthe spring to disengage the detents and then rocking the gate on its pivot.

r`Such implements operate quite satisfactorily in most instances but on certain kinds of work the gate may: become unlatched accidentally during operation of the implement. For instance, when a plier-type of tacker is used for attaching articles to arough surface the operator may hold the implement inclined with respect to the work and drag the bottom edge of the gate against the rough surface of the work. Such use of the implement sometimes causes the gate to move The present improvement is designedto prevent accidental or unwarranted unlocking of the gate and the invention relates generally to the gp provision of locking-means incorporated in pins for pivotally mounting the gate on the magazine.

The pivot-pins are in the formof push-buttonsand extend through' alined openings or slotsoin the sides of the gate and the sides of the magazine and have detents engageable with the openings in at least one of the parts to positively lock the gate in closed position. In the preferred embodiment of the invention. the gate ismounted for pivotal and vertical sliding movement'and is L provided with the usual cooperating notch-andlug detents for latching the gate in closed position. A pair of pivot-pins are provided which extend through holes in the sides of the gate and through slots of keyhole-shape in the sides of the magazine, the pivot-pins being pressed axially outward by a compression spring positioned between their inner ends. The pivot-pins have conically-faced enlargements adjacent their inner ends which are engageable with the circular portions of the keyhole slots in the sides of the magazine to positively lock the gate against vertical sliding movement whereby to hold 4the detents in latched engagement. The gate may be released by pressing on the push-button extensions of the pins to cause the pins to be moved inwardly toward each other against the V-action of the spring to disengage their enlargements from the circular portions of the keyhole'slots and aline the reduced shank-portions of the pins with the narrow portions ofthe slots. Thegate then may be moved vertically to disengage the latched detents and rocked thereafter on the pivot-pins to open the magazine.

In a modified form of construction of the invention the latching detents are eliminated and the pivot-pins alone act to lock the gate in Yclosed position on the magazine. In the modified v*form of construction the pivot-pins have non-circular portions which cooperate with correspondinglyshaped openings or slots in the lsides of .the magazine `and the sides of the gate to lockthe latter in closed position on the magazine. When the pivot-pins are `pressed inwardly cylindrical portions adjacent the non-circularportions permit the gate to be rocked to open the magazine.

Referring to the drawing the invention is herein shown as applied to a stapling implementgof the Atype illustrated and described in United States LettersgPatent No. 2,137,642 to JQhnAF. Cavanagh issued November 22, 1938. Itwill be understood, however, that the present improvements maybe applied to other types of fastenersapplying implements having pivoted gates. Suffice it to state Iherein that the stapling`implement comprises ahollowcasing 2 adapted to vrest against the work and mounting fastener-'applying mechanismV therein. The casing 2 vhas an opening 3 to provide for the insertion of 'the liin-- gers 'therethrough and a hand-lever 4 pivota'ily mountedon the casing for'actuating the fastener-applying mechanism whereby to adapt `'the implement to be held and operated in onejhand.

Mounted on the bottom wall 5 of the casing 2 is a magazine comprising a channel-shaped member 6 having a bottom wall I and sidewalls 8 formed with inturned flanges 9 at their upper edges, see Figs. 1 and 6. Extending upwardly and forwardly from the inturned flanges 9 ofthe magazine are a pairpf stanchions I0-a'nd -I-I which overhang the end of the member G. pair of rails I2 extend longitudinally within the member 6 in spaced relation to the side walls 8, being attached to the bottom Wall l by means of inwardly-directed lugs I3`welded or otherwise secured thereto, see Fig. 4. The longitudinallyextending rails I2 constitute a core, so-called, for supporting a plurality of fasteners, herein illustrated in .the form of `U-shaped staples S, arranged in straddled relationship thereon, the staples being held on the rails by the inturned flanges 9 which overlie their crossbars. The forward ends of the rails I2 extend beyond the forward end of the channel-shaped member 6 into an opening at the bottom of the casing 2 and underlie :the stanchions IEI and-II. Depending from the side of the forwardly-extending end of each rail I2 is a laterally-offset flange I5, see Fig. 6, having a rearward shoulder engageable with the forward edges of the bottom walls 5 and 7 of the casing 2 and member V6, its lower edge alining with the bottom of the casing. The channel-shaped member -(5 is attached to the casing 2 by means of screws I'I and I8 extending through the casing and the side walls 8 of the magazine. A U-shaped gate I9 for closing the front end of the magazine is mounted for rocking movement on the stanchions 'I 0 and I I in a manner later to be described in detail. The gate I9 has a front wall 20 and rearwardly and upwardly-extending side walls 2I and 22 which embrace the sides of the magazine-rails I2 and the sides of the stanchions I0 and I I.

. The lower edges of the side walls 2I and 22 of the gate I9 have recesses or notches 25 therein which are engageable with detent-lugs 2l struck outwardly from the flanges I5 on the rails I2 of the magazine. With the gate IS in closed position on the magazine and the notches 26 in engagement with the lugs 2l the front wall 20 of the gate is spaced from the forward ends of the rails I2 a distance equal to the thickness of a staple S to provide a throat 28 therebetween through which the staples are driven. The staples S are advanced along the rails I2 by a pusher 29 to position the foremost staple in the throat 28. The pusher 29 is advanced by a spring 30 having Vone end anchored to a lug on the bottom wall 'I of the channel-shaped member 6 and extending forwardly around a guide 3I with its opposite end connected to a lug depending from the pusher.

l The staple-applying mechanism comprises a driver V35 attached to the end of a plunger 36 mounted for reciprocation in a guideway at the forward side ofthe casing 2. The plunger 36 is normally latched in raised position, as illustrated in Fig. l, by Ya pivoted latch-member 31 and is adapted to be operated by a compression vspring 38 when released by'the'latch. The spring 38 is compressed by rocking movement of the handle 4 which is connected -to-a lever 39 by a link Yt8. The lever 39 is pivoted vat its rearward lend to the casing 2 and is connected to the lower Vlend of links 4I at the opposite sides of the spring 38, the upperv ends of the links `lbeing fastened to a cross-pin 42 overlying a movable compression plate 43. The spring'38 is positioned between the compression plate 43 and the plunger 36 so that rocking movement of the handle 4 in counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. l, will act through the link 40, lever 39 and links 4| to depress the plate 43 and compress the spring 38. At the end of the rocking movement of the handle-lever .4 an abutment or .pin 4,4 for connecting the link 40 to the lever-Saengages the latch` member 31 and rocks it in counterclockwise direction to release the plunger 36, which is then actuated by the compression spring 3S to slide the driver 35 through the throat 28. Upon release of the handle 4 a. hairpin-spring 45- acting between the casing 2 and lever 39, see Fig. l, is operable to return the parts to initial position and a similar type of spring 46 will return the latch 31 into engagement with the plunger 36. As thus far described, the implement is substantially identical with that illustrated and described in the Cavanagh patent referred to above.

In accordance with the present invention the means for pivotally mounting the gate I9 on the stanchionsA I6 and I| of the magazine operate to positively lock the gate in-closed position. In a preferred form of construction illustrated in Figs. l to 6, the pivot-means for the gate I9 operates to lock the gate against vertical rsliding movement to retain its notches or recesses 25 in latched engagement with the lugs 21. The pivotmeans comprises a pair of pins 41 and 46 of identical construction and of cylindrical form throughout the greater portion of their length with beveled or conical enlargements 49 adjacent one o their ends, The pin 41 extends through alined openings 59 and 5I in the stanchion I and side wall 2| ofthe gate while the pin 48 extends through similarl alined openings in the stanchion I and side wall 22 o1 the gate. The openings 56 in the stanchions I9 and II are of keyhole form, see Fig. 6, having circular portions 52 lat their lower ends and relatively narrow slots 53 extending vertically therefrom. The openings in the side walls 2| and 22 of the gate I9 are of circular form and of such dimension as to adapt them to receive the cylindrical portions of the pins 41 and 46 with a close t. A compression spring 58 is positionedbetween the yinner ends of the pins 41 and 48 for normally urging them outwardly away from each other; the spring being supported and guided on centering bosses 59 at the ends of the pins. The pins 41 and 48 are of greater length than the combined thickness of the stanchion |0 or II and side wall 2| or 22 of the gate I9 to adapt their ends to project outwardly beyond the sides of the gate to provide manually-operable push-buttons 69 and 6I. A preferred form of construction of the invention having been described in detail its mode of operation is .explained as follows:

With the gate I9 latched in closed position by the engagement of its notches 26 with the lugs 21 and held against vertical sliding movement by the engagement of the enlargements 49 on the pivot-pins 41 and 48 with the rounded portions 52 of the keyhole slots 59 in thestanchions I0 and |I, see Fig. l, the gate is positively locked against accidental or unwarranted opening. The implement may be operated to apply the staples S by depressing the handle-lever 4 which, acting through the link 49lever 39, links 4| and compression plate 43 will compress the spring 38 until eventually the latch 31 is released from the plunger 36 by the engagement of the pin 44 therewith. Upon release of the latch 31 the spring 36 will actuate the plunger 36 carrying the driver 35 to slide the latter downwardly through the throat 28. A staple S positioned in the throat 28 thus will be driven into the work. Upon release of the handle 4 the spring 45 will act to rock the lever 39 in counterclockwise direction to return the parts to their initial positions, the spring 46 Willreturn the latch 31 intoengagement with the :plunger 36 and the springlpressed pusher 29 will advance-theforemost staple S into the throat 28. The operator may continue to operate the implement in. this manner until the supply yof staples S in the magazine is exhausted.

To reload the implement with a supply of staples S the operator must rst unlock the gate I9 by simultaneously pressing the push-button extensions 60 and 6| of the pins 41 and 48 between the forenger and thumb to slide the pins inwardly toward each other against the action of the spring 59, thereby shifting them from the position illustrated in Fig. 3 to that illustratedin Fig. 5. Such inward movement of the pins 41 and 48 will remove .their conical enlargements or detents 49 from the circular portions 52. of the key. hole slots 59 in the stanchions I6 and to release the g'ate I9 for vertical sliding movement. The gate I9 then may be slid vertically from the position illustrated in Fig. 1 to that illustrated in Fig. 4 to release the notches 26 in the sides 2| and 22 of the gate I9 from engagement with the lugs 21 yon the rails I2; the cylindrical portions of the pins adjacent the conical enlargement moving in the reduced portions 53 of the keyhole slots 50 in the stanchions I and I I. Upon release of the notches 26 from the lugs 21 the gate I9 may be rocked to the position indicated by dash-lines in Fig. 4 to open the forward end of the magazine to receive a supply of staples S.

The staples S, preferably in the form of a selfsustained stick or reiill are inserted into the magazine 6 in straddled relationship on the rails I2 of the core and the end of the magazine thereafter is closed by rocking the gate I9 back todthe position illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. The gate..| ,9 is latched in closed position on the magazine by sliding it4 vertically downward to engage` the notches 26 in its side walls 2| and 22 with the lugs 21 on the rails I2 whereby to prevent it from pivotal movement. The downward sliding movement of the gate I9 to latch it in closed position will carry the conical enlargement 49 on the pins 41 and 48 into position opposite the circular portions of the keyhole slots 50 and the spring 58 will then act to slide the pins to engage the enlargements 49 therewith. The gate I9 then will A be held positively against vertical movement. It is is to be noted that the beveled or conical shape of the enlargements 49 on the pins 41 and 48 is to insure their entrance into the circular portions 52 of the keyhole slots 50 even though the pins are not in exact axial alinement therewith. Thus the gate is locked positively in closed position on the front of the magazine. The implement is then ready to apply staples S in the manner explained above.

In Figs. '1 and 8 a modied form of construction of the invention is illustrated in which the latching notches 26 and detent-lugs 21 are eliminated and the gate positively locked in closed position on the magazine by its pivot-means. The gate 64 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 8 is similar to the gatev I9 except for the notches 26 and has a front wall 65 and side walls 66 and 61. The gate 64 is mounted on stanchions 68 and 69, similar to the stanchions I0 and previously described, by means of pins 19 and 1I. The pins 19 and 1I are of identical form, each having a noncircular portion 12, herein illustrated as of rectangular or square contour, and an adjacent cylindrical portion 13. At the end of the square portions 12 each pin has a flange 14 which projectsradially from the periphery of the pin. The

stanchions 68 and 69 and 'sidewalls 66 .and 6l of the gate 64 have alined apertures 75 and .'16 of the same rectangular or square ycontour as the portions 'l2 of the pins 'l0 and 1l. The pin 1.0 extends through the alined ysquare apertures 'l5 and 'lin the stanchion 68 and the .side `wall 66 of the gate 64 while the pin 'H `extends throughl the square holes in the vopposite stanchion B9 and side Wall 6l of the gate.V The pins :lll rand "H are normally pressed outwardly by .a .spring 11 to position their rectangular portions '12in the alined openings l and 'I6 in the `stanchions .68 and 69 and sides 66 -andfl .of the gate, the anges 114 `limiting the outward Vmovement bof the pins. The .arrangement of the rectangular holes T15 and 16 in the stan'chions 68 and 69 and side walls 66 and 61 of the gate B4 are such l'as to .properly position the front wall 65 of .the gate in spaced relation to the end of the rails l2 to provide a throat 18 therebetween when the :rectangular portions 12 .of the pins 'l0 and Hare positioned in the alined openings. The rectangular portions l'l2 of the pins 10 and 'Il :also act to positively lock the gate against pivotal movement to hold it in closed position on themagazine. The outwardly-extending cylindrical portions 113 of Athe pins and 'll constitute push-buttons to adapt .the pins to be pressed inwardly toward eachother against the action of the-spring 11 to register their cylindrical portions with the rectangular openings in the side wal1s-66 'and 61 .ofthe rgate v64. Thus the gate 64 will be .released when the lpins 10 and 'll are pressed inwardly toward ieach other to permit it to be rocked tothe position indicated by dash-lines in Fig. 7 whereby to open the forward end of the magazine. 'Ihe pins '10 'and 'll thus operate to positively'lock the gate E4 in closed position on the magazine'fbut may vbe pressed inwardly between l the foreiflnger `and thumb to release the gate so that it maybe opened to rell the magazine with a supplyofstaples.

It will be observed from the foregoing Vspecification that the present invention provides Vfor positively locking the -gate in closed vposition on the magazine to prevent accidental `or unintentional opening of the latter duri-ngoperation of the implement. It also will be observedlt'hatthe locking means `of the present invention are of lsimple and compact construction lto positively ,l

lock the gate in closed position while `facilitating the release of the gate to open the magazine to receive a supply of fasteners.

While two forms of construction of the invention are herein illustrated Aand described, it isk to be understood that Vfurther modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement of. the gate-locking means without departing fromA .the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, Without limiting myself in this respect, I rclaimt 1. In a fastener-applying implement. a magazine for holdinga supply of fasteners, ,a movable gate for opening 'and closing the magazine, said magazine and gate having alined openings at opposite vsides thereof, locking means comprising 'a pair of opposed push-button members extending through the alined openings and having detents thereon, Vand a spring for normally Vurging -the push-button members outwardly to engage-their detents with at least one of the alinedj openings in the magazine and gate at opposite -sides thereof to positively lock the gate in closedposition on vthe magazine, said push-button members 2belng-manually-operable against the action-of the spring to disengage their-detents from lth'elopen.-

ings to release the gatewhereby to permit it to be moved to open the magazine.

2. In a fastener-applying implement, a magazine for holdinga supply of fasteners, `a gate for opening and closingthe magazine, a pin for pivotally mounting the `gate on the magazine, locking means comprising cooperating detents on the pin (and magazine for positively locking the gate in closed position, and a spring for normally urging the pin into locking position, said pin having a push-button extension to adapt it to be operated manually against the action of the spring for moving the detent to inoperative position to release the gate Wherebyto permit it to be moved to open the magazine.

3. In a fastener-applying implement, a magazine for holding a supply of fasteners, agate for opening and closing the magazine, pins for pivotally mounting the gate on the magazine, locking means comprising cooperating detents on the pins and magazine for positively locking the gate in closed position, Vand a spring for normally urging the pins to locking position, said pins having push-button Yextensions to adapt them to be operated manually against the action of the spring' for Vmoving the detents to inoperative position to release the gate whereby to permit it to be moved to open the magazine.

4. In a fastener-applying implement, a magazine for holding a supply of fasteners, a gate mounted on the magazine Vfor pivotal and vertical sliding movement, means for latching said gate against pivotal movement on the magazine, and means for locking the gate against vertical sliding movement on the magazine, said locking means having a push-)button extension for manual operation to release the gate whereby to permit it to be moved to open the magazine.

5. In La fastener-.applying implement, a magazine for holding .a .supply of fasteners, a gate mounted on themagazine for pivotal and vertical sliding movement, means for latching said gate against pivotal movement on the magazine, means for locking the gate against vertical sliding movement on the magazine, and a spring for normally urging the locking means into operative position to positively lock the gate closed on the magazine, said locking means having a push-button extension for manual operation to release the gate whereby to permit it to be moved to open the magazine.

6. In a fastener-applying implement, a magazine for holding a Supply of fasteners, a gate mounted on the magazine for pivotal and vertical sliding movement, cooperating detents on the magazine and gate engageable upon vertical Vsliding movement of the latter to latch the gate in lclosed position `on the magazine, means for vlocking the gate lagainst vertical .sliding movement, and Va springffor normally urging the locking means into locking lposition, said locking 'means having a push-button extension for manual operation 'to release the gate whereby to Apermit it to vbe moved to open the magazine.

7. In a fastener-applying implement, a magazine for holding asupply of fasteners, a gate `for opening and closing the magazine, a pin for Ipivotally mounting -'the gate on the magazine, said magazine having a .keyhole slot through 'which the pin extends, meansfor .latching the gate in closed 4position on the .magazine Vby sliding the gate vertically thereon, llocking means comprising a detent on the pin elgageable with the keyhole slot in the magazine pfor positively locking the `gate in 4closed. position, and @spring for sliding the pin to engage the detent with the keyhole slot, said pin having a push-button extension for operation manually to move the pin and detent axially to release the gate whereby to permit it to be swung to open the magazine. Y

8. In a fastener-,applying implement, a magazine for holdingj a supply of fasteners, said magazine havingzkeyhole slots at the sides thereof adjacent its forward end, a gate for opening and closing the magazine having holes in its sides in alinementwith the keyhole slots in the magazine, pins extending through the holes and keyhole slots 1in the sides of the gate'and magazine for pivotally mounting the gate on the magazine, cooperating detents on the magazine and gate engageable upon vertical sliding movement of the latter to latch the gate in closed position on the magazine, locking means comprising enlargements on the pins engageable with the keyhole slots in the sides of the magazine for positively lockingithe gate against vertical sliding movement, and a spring for normally urging the pins into locking position, said pins having push-button extensions to adapt them to be moved axially against the action of the spring to release the gate whereby to permit it to be moved to open the magazine.

9. In a fastener-applying implement, a magazine for holding a supply of fasteners, a gate for opening and closing the magazine, said gate and magazine having alined apertures of noncircular shape, and a pin extending through the alined apertures in the gate and magazine and having a non-cylindrical portion corresponding to the shape of the apertures and an adjacent cylindrical portion, said non-cylindrical portion of the pin normally being positioned in the apertures in the gate and magazine to lock the gate in closed position and said pin being manuallymovable axially thereof to position its cylindrical portion in the aperture in the gate where-` by to permit the gate to be rocked to open the magazine.

10. In a fastener-applying implement, a magazine for holding a supply of fasteners, a gate for opening and closing the magazine, said gate and magazine having alined apertures of noncircular shape, a pin extending through the alined apertures in the gate and magazine, said pin having a non-cylindrical portion corresponding to the shape of the apertures and an adjacent cylindrical portion,vand a spring for normally urging the pin to `rengage its non-cylindrical portion with the apertures in the gate and magazine to positively lock the gate in closed position on the magazine, said pin having a push-button extension for manually moving the pin axially to position its cylindrical portion in the aperture in the gate whereby to permit the gate to be rocked to open the magazine.

11. In a fastener-applying implement, a magazine for holding a supply of fasteners, a gate for opening and closing the magazine, the sides of the gate and the magazine having alined rectangular openings, pins in the alined openings having rectangular portions and adjacent cylindrical portions, and a spring acting between the pins to position the rectangular portions in the alined openings to positively lock the gate in closed position on the magazine, said pins having push-button extensions manually-operable against the actionof the spring to aline their cylindrical portions with the apertures in the gate whereby to permit it to be rocked to open the magazine.

CHARLES M. LINDSTROM, 

